The metal substrate
In 1998, the industry in Europe produced more than a billion square metres of coil coated metal. The choice of substrate used depends mainly on physical dimensions and mechanical properties, coupled with the corrosion and chemical resistance required, with respect to eventual use and location. All metals can be pre-painted but the most commonly used in Europe is steel - galvanised, cold rolled (CRS) and electrogalvanised. Steel is 100% recyclable and during the 1990s more than 70% of production originated from reclaimed material.
Galvanised steels appeared in 1980 and subsequently mixtures of aluminium and zinc (between 5% to 55% aluminium weight) have become available as alternatives to zinc coatings.
Cold-rolled steel (CRS) is used in large quantities particularly for household electrical appliances, for interior use and the automobile industry.
Created in 1980, electrogalvanised steel (a 2 to 5 micron thickness of zinc deposited electrolytically) is mainly utilised for household electrical appliances and automobiles.
Cold-rolled aluminium and its alloys are also 100 % recyclable and used concurrently for this same market.